Verisk, a global data analytics and technology provider to the global insurance industry, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire AccuLynx, an SaaS platform for roofing contractors, for $2.35 billion in cash.

The acquisition is expected to be additive to Verisk’s revenue growth and adjusted EBITDA margin, and accretive to adjusted EPS by year-end 2026. The transaction will be paid through fully committed debt financing in place and cash on hand. The transaction is expected to close by the end of the third quarter of 2025, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions and regulatory approval.

“AccuLynx is a natural fit and extension of the solutions we provide insurance carriers, adjustors and contractors through our Property Estimating Solutions business,” said Verisk CEO Lee Shavel. “Together we have an incredible opportunity to enhance the network effect of these businesses and create significant value for all parties in the insurance claims and restoration ecosystem, from insurers to contractors and policyholders.”

AccuLynx provides roofing contractors with a cloud-based software platform that addresses each stage of the workflow, including lead generation, sales and CRM, virtual measurements, materials ordering, labor sourcing, payment processing and job management. Most of the company’s customers perform insurance-driven repairs and restoration.

Verisk Property Estimating Solutions, part of Verisk’s claims solutions business, specializes in property insurance, remodeling and restoration for the global insurance industry. According to Verisk data, more than a third of property insurance claim value is related to roofing materials.

"Many of our clients already know and trust Verisk to help them manage jobs efficiently and accurately," said AccuLynx CEO Mike Stein. "Joining Verisk enables us to drive operational efficiency for the contractor and insurance industries and expand the value we provide. We’re thrilled to join the Verisk team and look forward to advancing our shared goals of helping our clients grow their businesses by streamlining their workflows so they can better serve their customers.”

Given that both AccuLynx and Versik play major roles in the insurance and restoration industry, multiple synergies emerge from the acquisition:

• AccuLynx provides a full end-to-end solution, which is complementary to Verisk’s Property Estimating Solutions
• AccuLynx’s roofing materials and labor datasets will augment analytics and benchmarking for insurers and contractors
• The acquisition will create opportunities for cross-sell, upsell and expanded data augmentation across complementary client bases that have a high degree of overlap

“Roofs are one of the largest and most expensive home components, contributing to the resilience of the communities our clients serve,” said Aaron Brunko, president, Verisk Property Estimating Solutions. “This acquisition enables us to further support this growing market, add value to an interconnected ecosystem and better support the active participants in the claims industry who help policyholders when they need it most.”

Image edited by Chris Gray

Cornerstone Building Brands has appointed Gunner Smith as its new chief executive officer following a comprehensive board search. Smith brings extensive building products industry experience, most recently serving as president of Roofing at Owens Corning since 2018, where he helmed a market-leading roofing business across the United States and Canada.

Cornerstone Building Brands, headquartered in Cary, N.C., is a manufacturer of exterior building products, including vinyl windows, siding, stone veneer, and metal roofing systems, with more than 18,800 employees across North America.

"We are excited to have Gunner Smith joining Cornerstone Building Brands as our next CEO," said Cornerstone Chairman of the Board and Interim CEO John Krenicki. "He has tremendous depth of experience and expertise in the building products industry and an unwavering focus on customers."

During his tenure at Owens Corning, Smith oversaw roofing shingles and components distribution through multiple channels and previously held various sales, marketing and pricing leadership roles since joining the company in 2008. Prior to Owens Corning, he served as national sales manager at PlyGem, one of the founding companies of Cornerstone Building Brands, and spent eight years in sales management at Elk Corporation.

Smith holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from Mississippi State University and executive credentials from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. He currently serves on the board of Howmet Aerospace.

Image courtesy of NECC

The Midwest Roofing Contractors Association Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the MRCA, issued more than a dozen academic scholarships to the next potential generation of roofing contractors. 

One of the foundation's missions is to provide financial assistance to MRCA member company employees and their families pursuing higher education at an accredited university or trade school. 

• Brynn Marshall - GAF, Parsippany, N.J.
• Chase Taylor - R. Adams Roofing Inc., Indianapolis, Ind.
• David Henry - Everest Systems, LLC, Houston, Texas
• Garrett Pesch - Berwald Roofing Co., Inc., St. Paul, Minn.
• Grace Baker - Kalkreuth Roofing & Sheet Metal Inc., Lexington, Ken.
• Grace Rucka - Malarkey Roofing Products, Portland, Ore.
• Jacob Haley - Kalkreuth Roofing & Sheet Metal Inc., Wheeling, W.Va.
• Kacie Learman - Korellis Roofing Inc., Hammond, Ind.
• Kurt Kreuger - TRUFAST, Bryan, Ohio
• Laurelyn Harris - Hausman Metal Works & Roofing Inc., St. Joseph, Mo.
• Lucian Yerger - Claims Settlement LLC, Newaygo, Mich.
• Mirabellah Hernandez - Korellis Roofing Inc., Hammond, Ind.
• Sydney Baxter - O'Hara's Son Roofing, Chicago, Ill.
• Tyler Niznick - BL Dalsin Roofing, Minneapolis, Minn.
• Viviana Bahena - Ridgeworth Roofing Co. Inc., Frankfort, Ill.
• Zakary Green - Korellis Roofing Inc., Hammond, Ind.

Scholarship winners were selected on the basis of academic performance, employment experience, financial need, letters of recommendation, and a demonstrated desire to pursue higher education. 

Also this year, the MRCA awarded the first-ever Gwaltney Family Scholarship to Tyce Melvin, who is affiliated with Roofmasters Roofing & Sheet Metal in Hays, Kan. 

"MRCA executive board felt that this dedication needed to be memorialized, and that the best way would be to designate each year one of the MRCA Foundation Scholarships in the name of the Gwaltney Family," the association said in a news release. 

Photo courtesy of Kirkin Exteriors/Facebook

Milwaukee-based commercial roofing contractor Roofed Right America has announced its recent acquisition of B&M Roofing of Colorado, a provider of reroofing, architectural metal roofs and repair services located in Frederick, Colo.

B&M joins Upstate Roofing of Rochester, N.Y. and Diamond Roofing Systems of Warren, Ohio in joining the RRA platform. RRA is backed by Great Range Capital, a Kansas City-based private equity firm.

B&M, which celebrates its 78th anniversary this year and continues to be led by Rami Zarifa, Scott Kawulok, David Heidt, and Brad Taylor, is RRA's third acquisition.

"B&M has been providing outstanding services for three quarters of a century and has a well-deserved reputation for excellence," said Adam Brissman, CEO of RRA. "We're truly excited and honored to be able to partner with Rami, Scott, David, and Brad, and their entire organization in achieving future successes."

RRA's ownership team partnered with B&M in early 2025 to both accelerate its organic growth and establish a platform that invests in and supports other leading commercial roofing companies throughout the United States. RRA said in a news release it is actively seeking organizations that are in search of an environment promoting the collective sharing of best practices, a focus on organic growth across the platform, while "preserving and enhancing the culture and characteristics of each individual business."

Via a team of more than 100 employees, B&M is a provider of roofing services to commercial clients across Colorado and nearby states. Rami, Scott, David, Brad, and the B&M team will continue to lead the organization under the B&M brand post-acquisition while also making active contributions to the broader RRA platform.

"RRA is a perfect fit for B&M and its people," said Rami, who has been with the company since 1992. "We share the same culture, standards and vision for the future and are thrilled at the opportunity to join forces," added Scott, who has served on the board of directors for the National Roofing Contractors Association for multiple terms.

Image courtesy of IKO

The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas announced a new $10 million initiative to help public housing authorities upgrade to storm-resistant roofing systems. The FHLB Dallas FORTIFIED Fund Rental program will provide grants to strengthen multifamily rental properties against severe weather events that frequently impact the region.

The program expands upon FHLB Dallas's existing FORTIFIED Fund, which has successfully provided storm-resistant roof upgrades to income-qualified homeowners throughout the district. FORTIFIED roofing systems meet standards established by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety, designed to exceed standard building codes and better withstand high winds, hail, and heavy rain.

"By enhancing the resilience of multifamily housing against increasingly severe weather events, this program will help preserve affordable housing stock," said Greg Hettrick, senior vice president and director of Community Investment at FHLB Dallas.

Applications will be accepted from FHLB Dallas member institutions on behalf of public housing authorities from July 21 through Sept. 5, 2025, on a first-come, first-served basis. Individual grants of up to $1 million per project will be awarded this fall.

FHLB Dallas serves approximately 800 members and associated institutions across Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, and Texas, with total assets of $109.9 billion as of March 2025. The bank is part of the 11-district FHLBank System established by Congress in 1932 to support housing and community development.

Credit: Image by Tim Urban from Pixabay